RiverKings put veterans on ice

Returnees bolster big-bodied lineup

"This is actually the first time I've ever come back to a team where there's been more than one guy returning," he said, "so it's nice to see guys you know and you've played with."

Sterling is one of eight players who finished the 2006-07 Central Hockey League season in the Mid-South, but there will be plenty of new faces as well when the 'Kings skate into a new season tonight at the DeSoto Civic Center against Bossier-Shreveport. The puck drops against their Northeast Division rivals at 7:05.

"I think we have a lot of team depth," captain Derek Landmesser said. "We're going to have three solid lines, a core of six (defensemen) that are going to be solid, and our goaltending is going to be real strong, as well, so I'm really looking forward to get going. We have a lot of grit on this team, and it's going to be fun."

Landmesser and fellow returnee Steve Makway anchor a defensive unit of players that all stand 6-1 or taller.

"We've got some big bodies, some toughness that is going to allow us to go into buildings and not get abused," Mississippi third-year coach Kevin McClelland said. "Injuries are going to happen, but usually if you don't have the physical presence out there, your guys take a lot more lumps."

Traveling to opposing arenas won't be a problem early on for the RiverKings, who begin the season with eight of their first 12 games at home. Youngstown is Saturday night's foe at the Civic Center.

"We have a team that's not going to back down from anybody," center Louis Dumont said, "and we're going to mix in some goals here and there."

That's the thinking behind the acquisition of 6-3, 210-pound forward Chad Woollard, who, in 145 games over the past two seasons with the United Hockey League's Quad City Mallards, scored 79 goals. Right wing Rick Kozak also has a knack for finding the back of the net, while left wing Ryan Campbell returns to build on his 28-goal effort in 2006-07.

"We have three lines up front that all have different roles," said Campbell, "and they're all coming together quite well. Then in the back, we're a lot deeper than we were last year, and that should definitely help us out."

The 'Kings dropped a pair of preseason games last weekend to the East Coast Hockey League's Florida Everblades. But the greatest benefit of the exhibitions wasn't found on the ice -- it was the 36-hour bus ride to and from the Sunshine State.

"You've obviously got to talk to the guy next to you," said McClelland, "so it was good to go on that road trip. The exhibition games -- the last two years that I've been here -- have always been at home, so we've never had the opportunity to get out on the road and meet each other personally."

Among the 'Kings coming the farthest for tonight's opener are forward Pekka Rautio and goalie Nick Boucher, who both played in Europe last year. Veteran defenseman Jason Lawmaster registered 154 penalty minutes in UHL stints at Bloomington and Kalamazoo. He averaged 231 PIMs his previous four seasons.

"I like our team," said McClelland, "but, again, nothing's ever etched in stone. These guys have earned the right to start the season here, and now, they've got to earn the right to stay here. If something's not working, I'm not going to wait long. I'm going to make sure we adjust."